Reforming Modern Youth Evangelism and Discipleship

Just listened to this conference message by Rev. Paul Washer. The title doesn't really contain what his message was about. He started out by talking about how many Christians try to lead unbelievers to Christ by getting them to pray a prayer and then telling them, Hey, you're saved! He says this is why there are so many people out there who say they are saved but go on living sinful lives. They were never really saved, but well-meaning Christians told them they were because they prayed a prayer. Rev. Washer says that first one has to have conviction of sin, be repentant of that sin, and then he has to dwell on the promises of God until he truly believes and has assurance that he is saved. This process could take minutes or it could take months, even years. He also explains how to Biblically approach children and youth who made a decision for Christ when they were young but as they grow older, their behavior is anything but Christian. He touched on children's church, family worship, and evangelizing to unbelievers. I think the most convicting part of his message was when he talked about how the leaders in our churches and parents have abandoned the spirtual teaching of their children and youth to the spiritually immature. Our elders should be teaching our Sunday schools, not well-meaning, but spiritually immature people or even teachers who are coerced into it because of the need. Fathers need to be teaching their children during family worship or they are not keeping the promise they made in baptism. He also talked about how boys want to be men and girls want to be women and how fathers and mothers need to spend time with their children doing manly/womanly things. He shares a humorous story of his young son and him practicing bow hunting in their backyard and how critical these types of activities are in the training of boys. I hope to listen to this message again some time this week when I can take more detailed notes. Truly a blessed message.

Paul Washer is an itinerant preacher and the General Director for HeartCry Missionary Society - their website address is www.heartcrymissionary.com (sermonaudio.com)